Article by – Chrissy Newall – Owner, Coach and Group Fitness Instructor
I heard an interesting stat the other day. People can consume up to and over 500 more calories when attending social events over Christmas. This lead me to tap into google and research this…
My findings…
In Australia and New Zealand, the holiday season brings an increase in calorie intake similar to other parts of the world. Australians, for instance, are estimated to gain about 1-2 kg over the Christmas period due to social gatherings, indulgent meals, and high-calorie holiday treats. Common foods like Christmas ham, roast meats, and traditional desserts like pavlova and Christmas pudding are calorie-dense, with some treats exceeding 400 calories per serving. Additionally, seasonal drinks like eggnog and cocktails add extra calories and sugars, contributing to this seasonal weight gain.
In these regions, where Christmas falls in summer, people often blend outdoor gatherings with heavy holiday meals. However, unlike in winter, the warmer season encourages outdoor activities like walking, which can help offset some of the calorie surplus. Still, research emphasizes that keeping up with an exercise routine during the festive season is essential. Regular physical activity, even just aiming for daily step goals or maintaining a workout routine, helps burn extra calories, manages weight gain, and supports cardiovascular health. This routine can also ease the transition back to healthier eating after the holidays
Maintaining balanced habits—such as focusing on whole foods, minimizing heavy sauces, and opting for seafood when possible—can allow for some holiday indulgence without derailing overall health.
Here is an interesting link to Spoon University and Heart Research Institute
This may be of interest too calcount
Please reach out to our personal trainers next time you are in the gym if you are wanting some support around your program and weekly plan for fitness goals. Our staff at Bay City Gym love to assist where they can. Perhaps even think about attending a cardio class such as RPM or Body Step or mix up your weight training with a Body Pump class or two. My favourite is to attend at least one Body Balance class per week for stress release and downtime.